Pakistani Taleban defer peace talks with government

ISLAMABAD (AFP) - Pakistan's Taleban on Monday deferred its offer of peace talks with the government over its lack of "seriousness", urging voters to boycott upcoming elections.

Parliament made history last week by becoming the first in the country's history to complete a full term in office and voters are due to elect new leaders by mid-May.

But TTP spokesman Ehsanullah Ehsan, in a video posted on Facebook, warned people to stay away from the rallies of the parties that made up the coalition government, criticising the democratic system for inflation and unrest in Pakistan.

"Generals and politicians are exploiting this country for their own interests, so seeing all these conditions, TTP has temporarily postponed its offer for talks in the interest of nation and Islam," Mr Ehsan said, flanked by two masked gunmen.